A win’s a win, and in typical Pittsburgh Steelers fashion, both sides of the ball made plays in the second half, particularly the fourth quarter on offense to secure a 24-17 victory and improve to 4-2. In this article I will provide data from Pro Football Focus (PFF) and some takeaways.
Offense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
The highest-graded player on offense was WR George Pickens (80.6, 53 snaps). He had another 100-yard receiving game (107), including three of Pittsburgh’s four explosive plays. Two were familiar back-shoulder throws he’s stellar at. My favorite was a rarely seen slot seam on a 3rd and 3 late in the game, getting to the red zone and extending the final drive to help ice the victory. It wasn’t all gravy though, with an illegal block and taunting penalties and a dropped an over-the-middle pass with a hit looming.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
QB Kenny Pickett (79.2, 59), played well overall and had a strong fourth quarter once again. He went 17-of-25 for his best completion rate of 2023 (68 percent), a one-yard sneak for Pittsburgh’s first rushing touchdown of the season (finally), no interceptions, a 97.1 passer rating, and two big-time-throws. Pickett had one turnover-worthy play though and no passing touchdowns. He was sacked twice early in the game before enjoying better protection but is still having some pocket-presence issues.
LT Dan Moore (77.5, 59) returned from injury, and silenced those who questioned if he should return to the starting lineup with his best performance by far. He held up well in pass protection (76.6 PBLK), allowing only one pressure (best marks of 2023) and had several strong run blocks in the second half as well (75.0 RBLK). One was on a pull, which we thankfully saw more of from the offensive line, leading to more success and lanes as anticipated.
RT Chukwuma Okorafor was also part of a strong offensive line game (77.2, 59) but a bit higher in the grades than I expected. Thought he played better in the run game (74.5 RBLK), and had a 77.5 PBLK with one charted hurry. I had more lost reps in my notes, and Okorafor was beat on a run that led to his holding penalty.
WR Diontae Johnson (77.1, 39) finally returned after a five-week absence, and his presence was felt right away, taking attention from others and creating separation. He provided Pittsburgh’s other explosive play on a 3rd-and-8 pivot route, with great YAC in the 39-yard gain. This got Pittsburgh in the red zone, along with another on an out route, each drive ending in rushing touchdowns. Huge factor to improving those offensive struggles. Had an unsportsmanlike penalty though, seemingly debatable on tape.
RG James Daniels (73.0, 59) is the third offensive lineman in this tier, refreshingly. I noted mixed results in the first half but part of the unit’s strong second half, including solid blocks on both running back touchdowns. He allowed a quarterback hit and received 73.9 PBLK and a 69.1 RBLK grades.
The Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Only one player, RB Jaylen Warren (49.3, 27). He also joined the rushing touchdown party, enjoying key blocks by the Steelers’ interior offensive line to tie the game from 13 yards out early in the fourth quarter. More success than previous games on the ground, with six attempts for 32 yards (5.3 YPA-season best), compared to his pass-game impact previously (40.4 pass grade, 47.8 PBLK).
Defense:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
The highest grade on defense was EDGE Nick Herbig (84.2), making an impact in just 12 snaps. He had two pressures, including his first NFL sack, showing great get off, along with providing another stop against the run.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
Another rookie who excelled in limited snaps was DL Keeanu Benton (78.6, 19). He provided three total pressures, two quarterback hits, including an impressive club/swim, leading to incompletions. Noted him getting washed in run defense though, which was his lowest grade (55.0).
The highlight for EDGE T.J. Watt (76.9, 57) was a stupid good interception. Dropping, reading QB Matthew Stafford’s eyes, reacting and timing the undercut perfectly. Huge, setting the offense up in the red zone for the first rushing touchdown. Just one tackle, less overall impact as a pass rusher (two pressures) and particularly the run as he’s displayed this year, along with a costly offsides penalty.
DL Armon Watts was higher than I expected (72.1, 17). I noted him getting washed in the run game a few times and one pass-rush win, had a zero burger on the stat sheet, and no charted pressures from PFF, with 66.2 RDEF and PRSH grades.
EDGE Alex Highsmith (70.1, 53) won a several times as a pass rusher, including three pressures, including one on DL Larry Ogunjobi’s sack. He had two tackles, including a run stop early in the game and had a penalty on a neutral zone infraction. Not game wrecking, but good overall.
The Bad (Below 50 Grades):
Unfortunately, five players here. First is Ogunjobi (49.3, 49) despite his sack early in the game, which was his only pressure (58.2 PRSH). He did provide two run stops early in the second half on back-to-back plays, but I noted him getting washed several times against the run throughout the game, which PFF seemingly agreed with (46.6 RDEF).
CB Patrick Peterson (44.8, 67) struggled again overall, in coverage (44.4) and run defense (44.4) in particular. He was in off coverage, lacking the speed to track a crosser that went for big YAC and a 36-yard gain on 3rd and 3. I also noted a poor effort in run defense along with a bad angle on another. He also had a penalty (illegal contact).
CB Levi Wallace (43.6, 49) has struggled the most in coverage. That continued this week, with a 158.3 passer rating against, which is as bad as it gets, and 26.0 yards allowed per reception. Most painful was a scramble drill heave where he lost his man and allowed the easy 31-yard touchdown. Also got beat on a two-point conversion, allowed a short catch on a 3rd and 3 for 36-yards, along with a missed run tackle opportunity on a 3rd-and-1 conversion. He had fewer snaps (49) encouragingly, but his play is consistently hurting the team.
LB Kwon Alexander (43.6, 47) had a rough day in run defense (29.1), struggling to get off blocks. His aggressive downhill nature got him in trouble in this game, guessing wrong and taking poor angles multiple times. Only one tackle on the day, and also missed one as well. He did provide a hurry but had his worst performance to date in my opinion and in terms of grades.
The lowest grade on defense was another CB, Chandon Sullivan (36.6, 22). The lone positive I noted was a tackle that limited a Rams screen pass to just one yard, which was his only catch allowed on three targets. He was beat in coverage on a drop and lost his footing on another. He took a poor run angle in my notes and also had a defensive holding penalty.
Cue CB Joey Porter Jr., who finally got more playing time, as many hoped, and had the best grade at the position (67.7, 53). He made some big plays in coverage, particularly in the second half. They included downfield plays and sticky coverage on two third and short incompletions. He wasn’t able to disengage from a block on a 36-yard gain along with two missed tackles on a 20-yard catch with YAC, and despite a good fill missed another on a 15-yard run. Definitely concerning, but he has earned the starting role with his play in coverage and bad play from others.
Special Teams:
Excellent (90-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Great (80-Plus Grades):
NONE.
Good (70-Plus Grades):
NONE.
The highest grade on special teams was Godwin Igwebuike (69.8, eight). He was the team’s kick returner, but had a 58.5 kick return grade, so must have done something in his four snaps on punt return team I didn’t catch yet.
The Bad (Below 50 Grades):
NONE.
The lowest grade was Elandon Roberts (53.0, nine). Pretty quiet day on special teams, highlighted by Chris Boswell’s 53-yard field goal. Only one special teams tackle, by Nick Herbig, and thankfully no penalties on the day.
Surprises:
- LG Isaac Seumalo (64.5, 59) had a better game overall, in my opinion, including key blocks on all three rushing touchdowns. Did allow three pressures and a quarterback hit but thought PFF’s 15.6 PBLK was way too harsh. He was an important part in limiting premium pass rusher Aaron Donald’s impact overall.
- K Chris Boswell had a 69.1 FG grade despite a 53-yarder on his lone attempt, along with going three-for-three on extra-points. Would think that would make the good tier at least.
Who were yours?
STEELERS VS. RAMS WEEK 7 SNAPS & REGULAR SEASON TOTAL SNAPS:
Snap Leaders Week 7: OFF-Pickett/OL (with Daniels/Moore). DEF-Fitzpatrick. ST-Nick Herbig.
Season: TOTAL-Peterson. OFF-Seumalo/Cole. DEF-Peterson. ST-Nick Herbig.
Thanks for reading and let me know your thoughts in the comments.
